- Ruth Kogan
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Understanding how much a business website costs depends entirely on how you build your website. Options range from budget-friendly DIY website builders to web developer and agency created websites.
The good news is that a creating a website is more accessible than ever. With business website templates and integrated marketing tools, you can launch a website suitable for a wide range of budgets.
TL;DR: how much does a business website cost?
Expense type | Estimated cost | Best for |
DIY builder (SaaS) | Free; Paid plans starting from $17 a month | Startups, local services, and small e-commerce |
Freelance developer | $2,000–$10,000+ upfront | Custom branding and specific functionality needs |
Design agency | $15,000–$50,000+ upfront | Mid-to-large enterprises requiring strategy & complex tech |
Editor’s note: All pricing in this article reflects typical market rates and Wix annual plans as of 2026.
How much does a business website cost? Here’s the breakdown
Understanding that how to build a business website involves several cost considerations is important. The exact cost depends on your industry, functionality requirements (like selling online or booking appointments) and growth goals. Below is a detailed breakdown of the typical expenses involved.
01. Platform and software costs
How and where you choose to build your business site can have the largest impact on the cost of building a website. Here's the full range of options.
Websites builders, like Wix are an all-in-one option because they typically include:
Domain name
Website builder prices for a business website start from free paid plans, with Wix for example, cost from $17 a month.
Another option is to use a Content Management System (CMS), including open-source options like Wix Studio. Some CMS require external hosting and other plugins for full business website functionality.
02. Labor and design costs
Using a drag and drop website builder to build a business website can help you reduce the cost without sacrificing design quality and flexibility. Wix's drag and drop editor, for example, can be used with a free website creation plan.
You can also choose from over 2000+ website templates, with professionally designed business website templates too.
If you choose to hire a freelancer to create your business website, you can be looking at paying anywhere from around $2,000 to start. Hourly rates can start from $50 an hour and up.
An agency building your site and this could include all your strategy, design, dev and copy, could cost anywhere from $15,000 up for a business website.
03. Domain name
A custom domain is a non-negotiable when it comes to building your business online. It's what helps you stand out and build a brand more than anything else, especially in the beginning.
When it comes to your domain name cost, some domain registrars like Wix, includes a free domain name with a paid plan. Renewal costs can start from $15 a year but the cost will completely depend on the domain extension you use.
04. Hosting and security
If you use a website builder like Wix, web hosting and enterprise-grade website security is included with your free or plan plan. There are no extra costs.
If you use a CMS, you'll need to pay a third party to host your site. There are multiple types of hosting, each with their own specific costs.
Shared hosting: Cheap but can be slow and risky for business sites that need reliability. ($5–$20/mo).
VPS /managed hosting: Faster and more secure, its recommended for growing businesses. ($30–$100/mo).
SSL certificates: Essential for security and SEO. Often free with hosting and website builders like Wix but premium validation certificates can cost $100+/year.
05. Business email addresses
Using a custom business email instead of a generic address builds trust with your clients and customers. This can cost between $6–$15 per user/month (via Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).
06. Add-ons and integrations
Business sites often need more than just text and images, they need functionality.
E-commerce: Transaction fees (approx. 2.9% + 30¢) and inventory tools.
Booking systems: To manage appointments and staff ($20–$50/mo). Free with Wix.
Marketing tools: Email marketing, live chat and advanced analytics ($10–$100/mo). A Wix business website comes with free in-built SEO tools, email marketing and analytics.
How much does it cost to build a business website with Wix
Wix offers a range of robust paid plans designed for business websites:
Light plan (~$17/mo): Removes ads and connects your domain. Best for simple brochure sites or personal consulting brands.
Core plan (~$29/mo): The entry point for accepting payments. Ideal for local businesses needing basic e-commerce or booking capabilities.
Business plan (~$36/mo): Designed for growth. Offers more storage, automated sales tax calculations, and advanced analytics to track customer behavior.
Business elite (~$159/mo): For high-traffic businesses. Includes unlimited storage, advanced marketing tools, and priority support.
Editors note: All prices are correct as of November, 2025.
How much does a business website cost FAQ
Can I build a business website for free?
You can build and publish for free on Wix, but it will have Wix branding and a generic URL. For a legitimate business, this is not recommended as it lacks professional credibility. You should budget at least for a "Light" plan and a custom domain.
Is it cheaper to hire a developer or use a website builder for a business website?
Using a website builder is significantly cheaper. A paid plan with a website builder can cost less than $100 a year, where as web developer rates are significantly higher.
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